The Milwaukee Brewers are a surging team in Major League Baseball. They are 64-43 and have overtaken the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central. With one of the best rotations in baseball and a sound bullpen, if the Brewers were to add at the trade deadline, it would likely be on the offensive side of the ball.
They have just about one day to do so, and with trade rumors swirling from all angles, one thing we know is that the Baltimore Orioles are certified sellers and have been shipping off their players on expiring contracts.
For the Brewers, they are looking to add another lefty slugger after missing out on Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Brewers Have Interest in Orioles’ Ryan O’Hearn
It has been reported over the last couple of days that the Milwaukee Brewers are showing interest in Baltimore Orioles’ lefty first baseman Ryan O’Hearn. O’Hearn, in his eighth season at MLB level, was named an All-Star this July.
Anthony Franco of MLBtraderumors.com gave a reason as to why Milwaukee could want to take on O’Hearn’s contract:
“Baltimore is all but guaranteed to trade OâHearn, who is a couple months from free agency. They presumably wouldnât want to make him a qualifying offer, and they could give 23-year-old Coby Mayo everyday first base reps for the stretch run. OâHearn is playing on an affordable $8MM salary, leaving roughly $2.5MM to be paid from the deadline on.”
O’Hearn is a cheap option and is a good platoon option against right-handed pitching. In 93 games this season, O’Hearn has 12 home runs, a .283 average, and a solid .830 OPS. However, all 12 of his home runs have come against righties, and his average is nearly 60 points better against righties than lefties. The Brewers have Rhys Hoskins at first base, but O’Hearn could also serve as a DH, primarily against right-handers.
A big aspect of O’Hearn’s game is his patient approach. He has 41 walks this season to just 60 strikeouts. So while the power may have receded over the past month or so, he is still putting up good at-bats and getting on base regularly.
Orioles Have Begun Their Sell-Off
The Baltimore Orioles have already begun their sell-off of tradable assets. They have pretty much been the most active team thus far by trading away both Gregory Soto and Seranthony Dominguez. They are expected to move position players as well, and maybe a starter or two. Aside from O’Hearn, outfielder Cedric Mullins is also expected to move.
As for the Milwaukee Brewers, they have aspirations of making a deep playoff run, and aside from Christian Yelich, they don’t have a left-handed bat presence. O’Hearn could slot it anywhere from fourth to eighth in their lineup, depending on the opposing pitcher, Â but regardless, the Orioles’ first baseman would be a sneaky great addition for the Brewers, who are in a Pennant chase.
As the July 31st deadline is just 28 hours away, expect the Brewers to make a few moves that may not send shockwaves through the league, but certainly make their roster a little bit better.
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